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Introducing Port Cocktails

When The Minty was a young lady, she got it in her head that drinking port was very sophisticated. While others had coffee, I tended towards a glass of port, usually tawny port. Since I started drinking craft cocktails a handful of years ago, I switched from port to amaro after dinner. About two years ago, I started noticing sherry sneaking into craft cocktails and now I welcome port coming to the party as well.

Recently at Cliff’s Edge, Port Cocktails made a big splash starting the night off with a glass of Trafalgar Punch (Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port, armagnac, overproof rum, lemon, water, nutmeg). Cliff’s Edge used recipes from David Wondrich as well as offering some original port cocktails.

Next, I sampled the Bin 27 Martini, a classic cocktail from the Port Cocktails website. Using Fonseca Bin 27 Ruby Port, vodka and cranberry juice, it’s a revved up version of what you may have been drinking in college.

Saint Valentine

In the mood for rum? Try the Saint Valentine with Fonseca Bin 27 Ruby Port, white rum, orange curacao and lime. A modern daiquiri.

Pink Diamond

I’ve had many kinds of port before- ruby, tawny and even white but never had I had pink before this night. Croft Pink Port makes a nice light addition to a cocktail. This Pink Diamond (Croft Pink Port, soda, lemon wedge) would be a perfect sunny patio drink.

I’m so glad I didn’t have to give up port or cocktails, now I could have both! Last I heard, Cliff’s Edge was working on a punch program. Expect to see more punches including port punches in the future.